Meat Goats A WebQuest for Middle School or Junior High

Introduction

The Meat Goat industry is a new, yet exciting field of agriculture that aims at a popular niche market here in the United States.  In this WebQuest, you will visit the world of  goats as a source of meat, farm  income,  and fun as related to prospective 4-H/FFA projects.

Task

Your task is to visit the following website links, complete all activities listed, and share your findings with fellow students and others in your community.  Remember, the meat goat Industry as a whole is relatively new here in the U.S.  Try to be on the cutting-edge in your classroom and learn all you can about this alternative livestock industry.  At the end of this WebQuest, you will be able to answer questions about the evolution of the meat goat industry here in the United States, as well as abroad. 

Process

Step 1:  Visit the links below to learn about  the meat goat industry here in the United States.  Next, refer to the Activities Page  for an exercise in terms and definitions.  By doing this activity first, the rest of your assignment will be easier.    

Boer Goats

ABGA

Boer Goats

Types of Meat goats

Requirements and more

Reproduction and more

Sustainable goat production

Nutritional Value of Goat Meat

Terminology 

Step 2: Work on your own to create a rough draft of a 1 page essay about the history and development of the Boer Goat here in the United States. Include comments on the growing demand brought on by different ethnic groups and religious holidays.  This step is not a group activity. 

Step 3:  Work in assigned groups of three or four  to edit  each of your rough drafts.  Each of member of your group must use an individualized ink color (may be teacher assigned).  Each member of the group is responsible for checking all other group members' rough drafts. You must also sign your name on the rough draft with your individualized ink color.  

Step 4:   Turn in both the final Rough Draft and the corrected Final Draft of your essay as per your teacher's instructions.    

Step 5:    Use your essay to complete a world map to trace the movement of the Boer Goat Industry around the world.  Label the countries on the world map where Boer goats are found in larger numbers. It is important that you spell everything correctly.  Apply dates where available and track the movement using colored pencils.  Turn in your completed map as per your teacher's instructions.

Step 6  Based on the Nutritional Value of Goat Meat link, construct a Bar Graph  comparing the nutritional value of goat meat to that of beef, pork and chicken.  Compare and contrast the cholesterol, protein and fat content values of each meat.

Conclusion:  Congratulations, you have successfully  completed your investigation into the evolution of the meat goat industry here in the United States. You also know more about the nutritional value of goat meat. 

Evaluation

Projects Rubric

Teacher Page

Credits 

Photos compliments of Missouri State University and USDA ARS.

Photo credit - left - Irwin; right - USDA ARS

Teachers are encouraged to adapt this lesson for classroom use only.  No part of this publication may be transmitted, stored, recorded or published in any form without written permission from Missouri Farm Bureau.

This page was developed by Ramona Andrus, reviewed by Lyndon and Barbara Irwin and is maintained by Missouri Farm Bureau.

Please address questions to Diane Olson at Missouri Farm Bureau or Dr. Lyndon Irwin at Missouri State University. 

©2006 Missouri Farm Bureau, All Rights Reserved!

Last revised on July 19, 2006